Children's Literature with Miss Cornell

1982 Texas Bluebonnet among numerous others  Bluebonnet novel   This book centers around Peter, a boy in middle school, who finds out his mom is pregnant and he will soon have another younger sibling and his family will also be moving. Similar to most sibling relationships, Peter has a difficult time with his younger brother and is extremely jealous of the amount of attention Fudge gets. Peter struggles to deal with his siblings and everything that comes with moving, especially in middle school. In the end, the family decides to move back home to New York, a decision made in large part to the baby's first word.  I think this book would be suitable for students around third to sixth or seventh grade, depending on their reading level. Although I don't see it being a book used within the curriculum, it could definitely be recommended to students who are struggling with a new move or younger siblings as it could be very relatable and comforting for students. I might include this bo

2020 Texas Bluebonnet Nominnee   Bluebonnet novel  After being hit by a lightning strike, 12 year old Lucy is now a genius in math, but she now has OCD. Her grandmother pulled her from school initially due to the lack of challenge, but now she has finally decided that Lucy needs some amount of social interaction so she enrolls her in middle school. Lucy must now navigate middle school and hide her uniqueness which proves to be quite unpredictable and difficult. In the end, Lucy has a different perspective on life (it isn't all about math) and she realizes that everyone has problems of their own.  I think this novel would be suitable for students in fourth grade or older, depending on their reading level and interests. It could be used within the curriculum of a middle school English/Language Arts classroom. It introduces different viewpoints that students this age may not be familiar with such as having OCD, family structure differences, and having savant syndrome. These, along wit

Illustrated by R.J. Palacio  Goodreads Choice Award for Picture Books 2017 Special needs topic book  This book is a spinoff from the novel Wonder but is told in a way that is more understandable for young listeners and readers. Auggie knows he isn't an ordinary kid, but that doesn't mean he can't do ordinary (and extraordinary) things. He describes how he feels sad when people say unkind things or think he is different. Auggie's wish in the end is that everyone would change the way they see so they can see themselves and Auggie for the wonders we all are.  This book would be perfect for students in Pre-K through first grade as students are encountering different peers and are more aware of their differences. It could be used as a read aloud for students followed by students telling about what makes them unique, as well as ways they can be kind to others and appreciate their uniqueness. I would definitely include this book in my classroom if I ever taught younger student

illustrated by Oge Mora 2019 Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award for New Talent, 2019 Caldecott Medal  Multicultural book This story was about the importance of having a sharing and giving heart. Omu meets many different people from her neighborhood throughout the day, all of whom she kindly shares a bowl of delicious stew with. In the end, Omu is left with no stew after giving all day, but there is one last knock on the door. Everyone who Omu shared with in the day was back with food to give back to her  This would be most appropriate for younger students in preschool or kindergarten. It teaches students both about different people and walks of life, but also the importance of giving. This could be used as a read aloud and follow with students talking about sharing and what positive things become of giving to others. I would use this in my class if I ever taught younger students because I like the way it teaches such a valuable lesson. 

Illustrated by Rafael López Schneider Family Book Award for Young Children 2o20  Multicultural  This book focuses on the differences in the way we do things that makes us unique and special. Children who have disabilities and other characteristics that make them unique share their stories and what helps them. Children are encouraged to ask their parents, friends, and teachers questions that they may wonder about, but to also respect one another if they don't want to answer. The story ends on the note that our uniqueness is valuable and important.  I think this story could be utilized for many age groups, but mostly students who are in Pre-K to first grade. It teaches a valuable lesson for children who are beginning to interact with others in an educational environment and in general for some students. I would possibly include this book in my class if I taught younger middle school students or young elementary students because I think both groups of students would benefit from liste

illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh  2015 Pura Belpré Honor Book, 2015 Robert F. Sibert Honor Book  Multicultural Book  This story takes place about 10 years before the famous Brown vs. Board decision. A young girl of Latino heritage remembers how difficult of a journey her and her family went through in order for her to attend the “whites only” school nearby. Her father made this possible by filing a lawsuit and involving other families who were also struggling with segregation. In the end, Sylvia attends the second day of school at the predominately white school with her head held high and a sense of pride in the actions that got her there.  This story would be perfect to remind and teach children about the history of the United States and how education was so terribly impacted for all students of color. It could be used within a history/social studies lesson where students discuss how the book made them feel and if it reminds them of anything. I think students in first through fourth gra

illustrated by Danielle Daniel  No major awards  Multicultural book  This story is very simple, focusing on coming together to show love and support for our friends, family, and classmates. The repetition in the story is based on how we can hold each other up in our daily actions by showing our respect for each other in various ways. I think this story would be perfect for young children in Pre-K and even Kindergarten. Students at this age are learning to be kind to others so this book could help to reinforce the idea that we need to love and respect each other everyday. I may include this book in my classroom because I really enjoyed how simplistic the book was while containing such a meaningful message. 

illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neil  2018 Pura Belpré Award Multicultural Book  This retelling of The Princess and the Pea makes it more friendly and relatable for Spanish speaking children while adding its own twist to the classic fairytale. The prince quickly falls in love with a maiden who then must pass a test from his mother. In the end, the maiden passes the test of the mattress and pea, though only because the prince added stones and pitchforks. In the end, the two get married and live happily ever after with their many children.  This book would be suited for children in Preschool through first grade. Although it wouldn't fit into any curriculum, it could be used with EL students or within a bilingual classroom to connect the two languages and make the classic story more relatable for students. I personally would not use this story unless I taught younger students who the book is more appropriate for. 

1982 Newbery Medal Winner among others Newbery book This chapter book from the collection of Ramona books was focused on the many changes in Ramona's life as she is now 8 years old. Her father is now attending university courses so he can finally do what he loves, her sister is no longer at the same school, and her mother must work full time to help keep the family afloat. The reader follows along as we learn about all the crazy, but common things that happen in Ramona's life.  In the end, Ramona and her family go out and enjoy dinner as a family.  I think this book would be suited for students who are in third through sixth grade, depending on their reading level and interests. I don't think this book would be well-suited to work into a curriculum because it is mainly read by young girls, rather than it being of interest to both boys and girls. I think it would be a fun book for students to read at their leisure or within classroom reading time, such as silent reading of t

1999 Newbery Winner among many other notable awards Newbery Chapter Book Stanley Yelnats is sent to a detention camp after being wrongfully accused of stealing a valuable pair of shoes. Stanley and the other boys at Camp Green Lake are supposed to dig holes to build character, but Stanley quickly realizes that isn't the real reason for digging holes. In the end, Stanley and his new friend, Hector, discover the reason for the digging, buried treasure. Camp Green Lake is shut down and Stanley and Hector are reunited with their families.  This book would be best for students around middle school ages, about fourth to eighth grade. The characters in the story would be great for older students to analyze to better understand the relationships and cause and effect behind them. Younger students could put together the different plot lines that appear in the book to better understand the plot as a whole. I would definitely use this book in a unit if I ever taught Language Arts, but if not,

illustrated by Thi Bui  2018 Caldecott Honor Book, 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Nominee for Picture Book, among others  Caldecott Book  This story focuses on a young Vietnamese-American boy and his father who wake up early to catch fish for dinner rather than recreation like most others. The young boy learns a lot about his parents and the struggles they face as he and his father fish in the early hours of morning. In the end, he feels a deeper appreciative for his family, especially his father.  I think this book would be appropriate for students in first through third grade. For the older of these students, this book could be read while students complete an interactive worksheet, sharing their feelings and reactions to the story. It also provides the harsh reality of what many of their peers, if not themselves, may face as immigrants in America. I would include this book in my classroom because I think the pictures and the story meld together well and it teaches a meaningful les

illustrated by Vashti Harrison 2020 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award and NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children's Literacy Work Coretta Scott King Award Book Unfortunately, the story of Sulwe captures what many young, darker-skinned girls are made to feel about their skin. Sulwe wishes that she would have brighter and lighter skin, like that of her family. After hearing the story of day and night, Sulwe realizes that her skin is beautiful just the way it is. From then on, Sulwe knew her brightness came from the inside out and that the color of her skin did not make her any less.  This story is most appropriate for children in Kindergarten through second or third grade, but due to the message, it could be used for students of all ages. It could be used simply as a read aloud to remind students that they are beautiful and valued no matter what their skin tone is. It could also be used to encourage a discussion on loving ourselves and others, no matter what we look like.

2020 Newbery Award winner and Coretta Scott King Award Graphic Novel  This novel was about a student who is the new kid at a predominately white private school. Jordan must navigate the expected middle school experiences, but he must also navigate in a world where he is one of the few students of color. Along the way he makes some unexpected friends and manages to keep his old friends from his neighborhood. In the end, Jordan has found his place both at his new school, and with his old friends.  This book is geared towards a middle school audience, about sixth to eighth grade. This graphic novel would be a great book to be included in the curriculum of the English classroom. All students will find a character who they can relate to and many students of color will be able to see themselves in Jordan. This book can teach great lesson to students on accepting one another and seeing each other as individuals. I would definitely include this book in my classroom in the future because I thin

illustrated by Julie Buffalohead No major awards Nonfiction Biography  This story tells about the life of Sacagawea and her travels with Lewis and Clark. It goes into detail about her capture when she was still a younger girl and then further on as she aids the Corps of Discovery in reaching the Pacific ocean and then returning. It tells about the great relationship she formed with Clark, as well. In the end, Sacagawea and her son have returned to their village and the Corps continue on in their journey home.  I think this book would be suitable for students in second through fourth grade. I remember around this age is when I first learned about Sacagawea so I think this book would be a great way for students to be introduced to her and her story in a social studies class. The illustrations aided in creating great visuals so students are better able to picture and imagine the places she went. I would use this in my classroom because I think it holds great value in terms of students’

illustrated by Luisa Uribe  No major awards Nonfiction Biography  This biography tells about the scientist Ernest Everett Just. It tells in great detail and with great pictures about the daily ins and outs of Ernest's life before he discovered his passion, cells. We learn about Ernest's great cell discovery and how he won the first NAACP Spingarn Medal because of this. It also discusses the setbacks he faced due to the color of his skin. The end of the book includes that he also created a book based on his discoveries.  This book would be ideal for students in first through third grade. It is a great way for students to learn about life and cells and the person who made a lot of that knowledge possible. I think this story could also be used with students in high school who are taking biology and learning about cells. This will give students a more personal connection with the content and hopefully allow them to connect better. I really enjoyed this book and the illustrations ev